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Vol 01 Chapter 30: The First Battle II

At almost the same time that Almus and his group clashed with King Ferme’s army, another battle was unfolding near the border between King Ferme’s Country and King Rosais’s Country.

「Hmm, the enemy’s morale seems high… Probably because they’ve been told something like they’ll starve to death if they don’t steal our wheat. What a hassle.」

Bartolo sighed and took a swig of his drink.

「What are the enemy’s numbers?」

「Three hundred. Of those, about fifty are light infantry. There is no cavalry in sight.」

Hearing the magician’s explanation, Bartolo nodded in satisfaction.

We have a hundred more men on our side. If we fight normally, we should be able to win. We lost the last battle despite having twice the enemy’s strength… but that was only because the previous commander was incompetent.

Bartolo wasn’t incompetent.

「That’s a relief, cavalry can be troublesome after all. So, what is their formation?」

「They’re using a typical phalanx. It seems their commander, including their elite troops, is located on the right wing.」

■

■■■■■■ ← Formation of King Ferme’s side (Commander)

「Huh, the same as in the last battle, huh? It’s brave of the commander to fight on the most dangerous right wing himself. No wonder our country lost last time.」

Bartolo took another swig of his drink.

In a phalanx, each soldier holds a shield in their left hand, protecting both themselves and the ally to their left. Thus, the right wing, lacking shield coverage, becomes a point of vulnerability.

It is a fundamental tactic to position the elite troops on this exposed right wing. The commander of King Ferme’s forces, a figure of remarkable bravery and boldness, takes his stand on the right flank, spear in hand, leading by example. In the last battle, King Ferme’s soldiers managed to penetrate Rosais’ left wing, a feat achieved primarily through the high morale of King Ferme’s soldiers, inspired by their commander’s presence on the frontline. Ultimately, this led to King Rosais’ defeat, as King Ferme’s forces enveloped Rosais’ flank, securing victory.

Incidentally, Bartolo had no intention of fighting in such a dangerous spot. He planned to command from the safest spot possible while drinking and watching.

This way allows for a better overview of the entire situation.

「Listen, we’re going by the plan. The entire army will advance in the planned way… We have the advantage in numbers. If the plan succeeds, we will surely win.」

Bartolo smiled.

◇

「How’s the enemy’s formation?」

「That’s the thing… it seems they are oddly concentrating their forces on the left side.」

■■

■■

■■■■■■ ← Bartolo’s formation

The magician, who had just returned from reconnaissance, explained to the commander of King Ferme’s Country.

「They’re probably cautious because of what happened in the last battle. We decimated the enemy’s left side before, leading to their defeat. They’re guarding against that. Honestly, such fools. It’s pointless if they neglect their right side, which is their greatest weakness.」

The commander said with a tone of disbelief.

「Where is the enemy commander? On the left side?」

「It appears he’s in the rear. We confirmed he was drinking.」

The commander burst into laughter at the magician’s explanation.

「Drinking before battle, what carelessness. And in the rear? What a coward. The soldiers of King Rosais are truly to be pitied. Alright, let’s abandon the strategy of luring them into our territory bit by bit. Let’s just break through them now.」

King Ferme had said to go for the win if it seemed possible. It wouldn’t be disobeying orders.

「Come on, let’s go. Let’s present victory to King Ferme!」

The commander, spear in hand, took his position.

◇

Battles began first with the light infantry… attacks by archers and javelin throwers. Then, after that was concluded, the decisive battle with the heavy infantry took place. Once the battle started, the heavy infantry could only do one thing. They just kill the enemy in front of them. Continue fighting until death. That’s all there was to it.

「Advance, all forces.」

「All troops, follow me!!」

Both Bartolo and the commander gave their orders simultaneously.

The first clash was between the left wing of King Rosais’s army and the right wing of King Ferme’s army.

Both forces collided fiercely.

「Die!!」

The commander swung his spear. He was the most powerful general in King Ferme’s Country. The soldiers directly under his command were the strongest elite unit of King Ferme’s Country.

He kept killing soldiers of King Rosais one after another. But…

「Damn, how many of them are there!!」

Desperation began to show on the commander. No matter how many he killed, the soldiers from the back ranks filled the gaps.

It seemed endless. But still, as expected of the elite unit, they gradually pushed back the army of King Rosais.

Until that moment.

「Now, it’s about time. King Guard, go.」

Bartolo gave his order while swigging his drink.

From the rear ranks, the elite troops of King Rosais’s Country… those who would normally be guarding the palace, moved to the front.

They were called weak by Almus and were thoroughly beaten by Ron, but they were by no means weak. That was just because Almus and his group had an unfair advantage in the form of Almus’ blessing.

They were undoubtedly elite.

The soldiers directly under the commander were strong. But they were worn out from consecutive battles. So they were unable to withstand when they were hit by Rosais’ elite troops. Gradually, King Rosais’s side began to push forward.

King Ferme’s commander found himself at a disadvantage. But he still had some leeway.

He was counting on the enemy’s right wing collapse.

The enemy had been foolish enough to concentrate their troops on the left wing, which should have been focused on the right wing. This meant that King Rosais’ right wing side was weak. Soon, King Ferme’s left wing would break through King Rosais’s right wing and start encircling from the side.

The commander smirked.

◇

「That’s not how things are going to go.」

Bartolo took a drink.

Then he looked towards his own right wing. The right wing was still intact. No, there hadn’t even been a battle there.

Bartolo had ordered to concentrate attacks mainly on the left, causing the left wing to protrude and the right wing to lag significantly behind, not yet engaging with the enemy.

「If the right wing is weak, then we just don’t have to fight there.」

Bartolo said with a sly smile, tossing away an empty bottle of wine.

「Now, it’s about time to settle this.」

◇

「Damn!! What is the left wing doing!!」

The commander shouted.

But as an answer to his words, the spears of King Rosais’s King Guard attacked him.

Desperately, the commander parried the attacks.

But there is a limit to human endurance. He had been fighting ever since the battle began. A person cannot maintain concentration for an extended period.

An enemy spear grazed the commander’s cheek. Starting with that, the commander’s movements slowed down further, and the number of cuts increased.

「Ugh, aarrghhh!!」

In the end, a spear pierced the commander’s stomach. At that time, several other spears met their mark on the commander’s body.

「The enemy commander has been slain!!」

Someone among the King Guard shouted. Triggered by this, King Ferme’s right wing collapsed entirely.

Immediately, King Rosais’s left wing encircled to the side and attacked from the right, exploiting the weakness. King Ferme’s forces were completely routed.

◇

「Yesss!! My territory will expand now! I did it!!」

Bartolo jumped with joy as if leaping into the air. At that moment, it was hard to believe he was the same man who just led his troops to victory with a seemingly divine command.

This battle was not one for the history books, although it was the first to show glimpses of the talent of the man later known as ‘Romalia’s Orochi.’

AN: A play on words with the legendary Yamata no Orochi and sake.